Statement on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

(OTTAWA) March 21, 2016 – The Green Party of Canada issued the following statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination:

“I join Canadians and nations around the world in recognizing International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich – Gulf Islands).

“The Green Party is committed to working towards a culture of nonviolence and peace between states, inside societies and between individuals as the basis of global security. We believe that security should not rest mainly on military strength, but on co-operation, sound economic and social development, environmental safety, and fundamental respect for human rights – including the elimination of racial discrimination. Though not without our faults, Canada remains a multicultural beacon on the world stage. Greens stand against racism in all forms, and continue to strive for a world free from racial discrimination.”

Joe Foster, Green Party Critic for Human Rights, said:

”Greens around the world not only support, but embrace respect for diversity as one of our key values for global well-being. This is best expressed in the United Nations’ Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: ‘Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.’”